New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-04
THE ORIGIN or my MARYLAND"

Major Duson before Maryland Line Confederate Hssoa-
ton.
II Was baltimore woman who gave to the South
the O No great vrc of the Written by James r.
Randall of MARYLAND, it was In a moment OF inspira-
ton, set to the air OF an Old college song anu thus
was the undyng music married to Immortal verse.
Mira. Hetty Cary Martin kindly consents to tell the
story: ,oa H., po,t;more
militia prevent the passage OF Northern TROOPS one
OF the regiments formed manly Oh young men VI
social prominence here, was disbanded. The men
wrnt South in dead of night with only the clothes
they wore A..
lit soon became known among our friends that
boxes OF cloihug to be sent to them from our
house. Daily and nightly meetings were ne mere
In defiance of the vigilance of the authorities, whose
frequent srarchings oi the house maze IL known III
the papers as Headquarters OF RebeldoIn; FINGERS
ana machines were cea>elessly at work subscriptions
ca,ue Ireely in On stormy nights boxes were packed
and sh pped the stable i'll our These were
directly to General Lee, who told me that ne had
himself seen to forwarding them to our boys Danger
and daring kept every heart on fire. The girls who
worked and the boys who watched tor a chance to
slip through the lines to Dixie formed glee club, and
their enthusias. found vent in such patriotic songs
az could be written adapted to suit their needs
"One evening. early in June my sister young
lady, had charge OF the programme, the club meet
ing at our house. With Young girls eagerness TO
score ,uccs S. she resolved to same new and
ardent expression feelings by this tine wrought
up TO the point OF explosion. In vain she searched
through her stock OF words and airs nothing seemed
intense enough to suit the occasion. Aroused by her
tone OF despair, came to the rescue with the sug
geston that she should adapt the words of Maryland
Nv Maryand' Which had been constantly Oh my lips
since the appearance Of the lyric lew days before IN
. The Baltimore South l produced the paper. and
began declaiming the verses. Laurger Horatius
she exclaimed, and in fash the mmo tai song found
voice in the stirring air so perfectly adapted to It,
"That night, when her voice rang out the stanzas,
the refrain rolled forth from every throat present,
without pause or preparation, aid the enthusiasm
communicated itself with such effect to the crowd as
sembled beneath our open windows to endanger
seriously the liberties OF the party.
"A few weeks later it had become impossible to Tor
ID H.. ,liaa 4 Uhi We IA II
several large trunkstul.
My brother was about to leave for the army, and
concluded to risk running the blockade with him,
taking my sister Also to furnish plausible excuse
for leaving Baltimore with very undue amount OF
'ug1Sgs ann. d;,oo,tv and not little danger our
party was finally landed in dead OF night on Virginia
shores. Ny sister and kept guard over the trunks
while my brother secured the vicinity 10 search OF
conveyance to StrsIford, few miles distant from
point landng and the birthplace OF our friend and
= kiusmaD, General Il. +. Lee
sAn old hay wagon. drawn by a very large OK and
very small mule guided by ropes and gosded with
hickory pole finally secured, and in this striking
conveyance made our Iiumphal entry into the
aUp to this time had worn on my Terson flag
bearing the Maryland coatot arms, and presented by
Baltimore women 10 the Maryland troops In the
Southern army In addition the discomfort OF this
unwonted article of apparel, had suffered no small
amount Of anxiety lest the pant, which was quite
fresh should sustain injury, therefore shook its
folds 10 the breeze the moment were safe in Dixie
my brother cut pole We raised the banner Abort,
and, Dcrcned upon our trunks. J0lted up tnu uOWn
hill TO Straiiord the early dawn Of that tair Fourth
OF July. making the Virginia woods ring with Mary
land. my Marylandp
.The story OF our adventures soon reached homo
the aid and comfort given to the enemy were
greatly magnifed, and my family received notifoa-
ton from Washington that We should not DO per-
mitted to return.
ave were living in Virginia in exile, when soon
after Manassas, General Beaulegard hearing OF our
work and suaerings tor the Marylanders, who had
already done such gallant service in his command In
vited visit them his Fairfax
Court House. he 70 tifcations there in charge
OF my cousin, Captain Sterrett IT, 8. who received
and entertained our party during the visit.
The night Of arrival we were serenaded by tho
Orleans and oil the fine voices within reach Captain
6terrett expressed thanks and asked ii there
any service We might rende' In return. Let hear
= vomans voice was the cry winch arose In
eponse. And standing the tent door, under cover
Of the darkness my sister sang, Maryiani MY Mary
land
This was believe, the birth Of the song In the
army. The refrain was speedily caught up and tossed
back to us hundreds OF rebel throsts AZ the as
notes died away there surged forth from the gatnefng
throne . wild shout We viii break her ohainsI we
viii set her free She shall be free Three cheers and
tiger for Maryland And they were given with
will.
NJ next day not . cap with rim 1t in camy.
sNoihinR could have kept Mr. Rsndsli's verses
from living and growing into power. To ne fell the
happy chance OF first giving them voice. In few
weeks Ny Maryland had found its way to .he
hearts ct the whole people, aud become . great
hafional song"
ExrxRIxESrs WITH THE EYE-The following u On ex-
psssment psriormsd By d. 0aIet Do Grand